6 Next Generation Boy Bands You Need to Know

posted by Nicole Mastrogiannis -

Mar 6, 2018

There have been many great boy bands throughout history. If you *really* want to go back, The Beatles were revolutionary, not just with their music, but the "fandemonium" they ensued with all of their fans. Fast-forward 30+ years, and a similar passion surrounded boy bands like *NSYNC, Backstreet Boys, and 98 Degrees. And a short time later, the same with One Direction.

Who will win Best Boy Band? You voted! Find out the winner by tuning into the 2018 iHeartRadio Music Awards on March 11th, live on TBS, TNT and truTV at 8pm ET/5pm PT, as well as on iHeartMedia radio stations across the country and on the iHeartRadio app. Hosted by Hailey Baldwin andDJ Khaled, the show will feature live performances from Ed Sheeran,Cardi B, Maroon 5,Camila Cabello, and Charlie Puth, with more to be announced.

Take a closer look at these next generation boy bands you need to know below.

Why Don't We

Why Don't Weis sure to become one of your favorite boy bands -- because they're not your average boy band. Sure, they sing, sure they dance, but they play instruments too. Like the cello (seriously, it's true!). Members Daniel Seavey, Zach Herron, Corbyn Besson, Jonah Marais, and Jack Avery came together in September 2016 to form their band, and their debut single "Taking You" was released a month later. Since then, the guys have released three EPs, Only the Beginning, Something Different, and Why Don't We Just. In 2018, the band released their latest single "Trust Fund Baby," and are currently on tour in the US through April.

In Real Life

In Real Life is America's newest boy band, and the group consists of Brady Tutton, Chance Perez, Drew Ramos, Sergio Calderon, and Michael Conor, who were the final five vocalists at the end of the very firstBoy Band -- the new reality television music competition series of your boy band dreams. Following the show, In Real Life released their debut single "Eyes Closed," co-written by star songwriter Justin Tranter, along with Brandon Skeie, Jussi Karvinenand Wes Period. And after dropping a few Christmas songs at the end of 2017, the band has recently released their second official single, "Tattoo (How 'Bout You)."

PRETTYMUCH

Simon Cowell has done it again. Say hello to PRETTYMUCH. People have been calling these guys the next One Direction and the five-member band consists of Austin Porter,Nick Mara,Brandon Arreaga,Edwin Honoret, and Zion Kuwonu. After covering artists like Drake, Michael Jackson, and Ed Sheeran, the guys released their debut single "Would You Mind?" Throughout 2017, PRETTYMUCH released several additional singles, including a collaboration with rapper French Montana called "No More," and in 2018 shared another new song "10,000 Hours." But it's only the beginning of the year, and the guys have a lot more in store for fans. Earlier in March, the band tweeted, "Ya boys been grindin’..... stay tuned."

BTS

In 2017, the K-Pop takeover reached America in full force, and BTS showed us this in many ways. The band made history by becoming the first K-Pop Group to be invited to and perform at the American Music Awards. The seven member group is comprised of Jin, Suga, J-Hope (who just released his own solo mixtape), RM, Jimin, V, and Jungkook and are originally from Seoul, South Korea. This last year, the group released their EP Love Yourself: Her, as well as teamed up with Steve Aoki on a "MIC Drop" remix. And things are certainly not slowing down for BTS anytime soon, as the group's fanbase is bigger and stronger than ever.

CNCO

Speaking of international boy bands, CNCO should definitely be on your radar. Latin music had so many incredible crossover moments over the course of 2017, and the five-member band was a part of that. The group, comprised of Christopher Vélez, Richard Camacho, Joel Pimentel, Erick Brian Colón and Zabdiel de Jesús wonLa Banda, a singing competition show on Telemundo created by Simon Cowell and produced byRicky Martin, winning a 5-year recording contract with Sony Music Latin, and have already toured with Rick. The guys released their singles "Tan Fácil" and "Quisiera," then soon after dropped their debut albumPrimera Citain August 2016. Last year, CNCO teamed up with Little Mix on their "Reggaetón Lento (Remix)" and are currently working on a new full-length album.

The Vamps

Last year, UK band The Vamps dropped the first part of their third album Night & Day album, teaming up with EDM producers Matoma and Martin Jensen, and Mike Perry, as well as pop stars like Sabrina Carpenter and Argentinian singer TINI. The band also spent much of last year touring, and have some new music up their sleeve as the guys have joined forces with another EDM producer/DJ Danny Avila and Machine Gun Kelly on their new collab "Too Good To Be True."